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HomeMy WebLinkAbout084 - 06/17/1997 - AMENDING CITY CODE TO ALLOW THE PLACEMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD RECOGNITION SIGNS ON CITY STREETS, SIDEWAL ORDINANCE NO. 84, 1997 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AMENDING CITY CODE SECTION 24-1 TO ALLOW THE PLACEMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD RECOGNITION SIGNS ON CITY STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND OTHER AREAS OWNED BY THE CITY WHEREAS,a Neighborhood Sign Recognition Program("the Program")has been proposed for the purpose of recognizing and rewarding local neighborhood organizations who are committed to maintaining and improving the quality of life for all residents in their neighborhood; and WHEREAS, the Program as proposed would permit qualified neighborhood organizations to apply for and have the City post, in the neighborhood, two attractive signs identifying the neighborhood; and WHEREAS, it is the intention of the Program to place these neighborhood recognition signs in the City's rights-of-way; and WHEREAS,the City Code currently does not permit this type of sign to be erected upon City streets, sidewalks and other City-owned areas; and WHEREAS,this Ordinance would permit such neighborhood recognition signs to be erected by the City in these areas; and WHEREAS, the Ordinance also provides that in order for a neighborhood organization to qualify and be eligible for such a recognition sign, it must meet certain eligibility requirements which are set out in this Ordinance; and WHEREAS, the Council finds that allowing neighborhood recognition signs to be erected upon City streets, sidewalks and other City owned areas will be a benefit to the community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that Section 24-1 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended so as to read in its entirety as follows: Sec. 24-1. Signs on streets and sidewalks prohibited; exceptions; permit. (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph(b)of this Section,no person shall erect any sign upon any street, sidewalk, or other area owned by the city. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph(a)of this Section,the following signs shall be permitted on streets, sidewalks, and other areas owned by the city: 1. Signs hanging above city sidewalks provided that such signs are solely connected to private property and provided that such signs are allowed under Section 3.8.7 of the city's Land Use Code. 2. Traffic control signs erected by the city and directional or informational signs erected by the city or other governmental entities which relate to facilities and areas owned, maintained or operated by the city or such other governmental entities. Before any directional or informational sign of a governmental entity other than the city is erected,the governmental entity must obtain a permit authorizing the sign from the city's Director of Engineering. 3. Signs erected by the city to publicize community activities, celebrations, and events. 4. Neighborhood recognition signs erected by the city to identify a particular neighborhood; provided, however, that such signs shall only be erected and maintained in those neighborhoods within which a qualified neighborhood organization exists for the purpose of considering and acting upon a broad range of issues affecting the neighborhood. A qualified neighborhood organization shall mean an organization which the City's Director of Engineering has determined satisfies all of the following requirements: i. The neighborhood area that the organization represents must have identifiable, geographical boundaries; ii. The neighborhood area that the organization represents must have at least two hundred (200) households within the boundaries of the neighborhood unless none of the boundaries of the neighborhood area are adjacent to and touch the boundaries of another existing residential neighborhood, in which case the neighborhood area that the organization represents need only have at least fifty (50) households within the boundaries of the neighborhood; iii. The organization must have at least one elected representative; iv. Membership in the organization must be open to all residents, property owners, and business owners within the boundaries of the neighborhood; V. Except for residency, ownership of property, and location of a business within the neighborhood 2 boundaries, the organization must have no other requirements for membership; vi. The organization must not require payment of a membership fee as a condition of voting; vii. All of the organization's meetings must be open to the entire membership; viii. The organization must hold at least one meeting each calendar year; ix. All members of the organization must be sent prior notice of all meetings of the organization; and X. The organization must file and maintain a current set of bylaws with the city's Neighborhood Resources Office. (c) If at anytime the city's Director of Engineering determines that a neighborhood organization which has existing neighborhood recognition signs does not, for any reason, satisfy all the requirements set forth in paragraph(b)(4) of this Section, the Director of Engineering may remove such neighborhood recognition signs from the city's property. Introduced,considered favorably on first reading,and eyed blished s 3r 'day of June, A.D. 1997, and to be presented for final passage on the_,17th day June, 19 Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading this 17th day of June, A.D. 1997. Mayor Pro Tern ATTEST: City Clerk 3